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Bill Summary · SB 217

SB 217 — Health Occupations Boards — Membership Alteration and Sunset Extensions

Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 32). Effective date: June 1, 2025. (Requested by Maryland Department of Health; cross-file HB 256.)

Main purpose

To reauthorize (extend the statutory life of) several Maryland health occupations boards subject to the Maryland Program Evaluation Act (MPEA) and to adjust the membership of the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners.

Key provisions

  • Sunset (termination) date extensions (subject to MPEA review/reestablishment):
    • State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech‑Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists — extended to July 1, 2031 (five‑year extension).
    • State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners — extended to July 1, 2031 (five‑year extension).
    • State Board of Pharmacy — extended to July 1, 2030 (five‑year extension).
    • State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and the Behavior Analyst Advisory Committee — extended to July 1, 2028 (two‑year extension).
  • Board membership change (Massage Therapy Board):
    • Increases membership from seven to nine members.
    • Composition becomes six licensed massage therapists and three consumer members.
    • Appointment process and qualifications for licensed members remain (Governor appoints licensed members from lists submitted by a qualifying association; licensed members must meet residency, licensure, practice, education, and “good standing” requirements).
    • The initial terms for the additional members added under this change expire in 2030.
  • Statutory sections amended include portions of the Health Occupations Article (e.g., §§ 2–502, 6–202, 6–602, 12–802, 17–6A–31, 17–702).

Who is affected

  • Regulated practitioners and licensees: audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, speech‑language pathologists, music therapists, massage therapists, pharmacists, professional counselors and therapists, and behavior analysts.
  • Consumers (through increased consumer membership on the massage board).
  • Maryland Department of Health and the affected boards (administration and governance).

Fiscal and other impacts

  • Short‑term state fiscal impact: none in FY 2025.
  • Special fund revenues/expenditures for the affected boards are maintained through their extended sunset dates (FY 2028 / FY 2030 / FY 2031 as noted above).
  • Recurring cost: beginning FY 2026, the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners’ special fund expenditures increase by about $3,500 annually to cover per diem for the two additional board members.
  • The Maryland Department of Health determined minimal or no impact on small businesses; Department of Legislative Services concurs.

Timeline & procedure

  • Enacted as Chapter 32, approved by Governor April 8, 2025.
  • Effective June 1, 2025.
  • All extensions and board authorities remain subject to MPEA evaluation and reauthorization at the new sunset dates.

Notes

  • This was a departmental (agency‑requested) bill to maintain regulatory continuity and adjust board composition to support board operations and public representation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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